MUSICAL FAREWELL

02.10.2016 — Local news Mission Geneva

Geneva offered the outgoing Secretary General a musical farewell with the United Nations Orchestra. Before the concert, SG Ban Ki-moon had dinner with federal councillor Burkhalter 

Security, prosperity and independance of Switzerland linked to the well functioning of the international order

22.08.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter opened this year’s Ambassadors and International Network Conference on Monday 22 August 2016. The four-day conference has as its theme ‘Switzerland – stakeholder and beneficiary of the multilateral system’ and this year is being held in Geneva’s Palais des Nations.

The President of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann opens the 2nd Conference of States Parties of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in Geneva

22.08.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

During the conference, States parties and civil society representatives will debate on the implementation of constraining rules to control the international flow of conventional weapons

New Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organisations in Geneva takes office

10.08.2016 — Local news Mission Geneva

Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, new Head of the Swiss Mission, presented his credentials to Michael Møller, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

ATT Secretariat Agreements signed

13.06.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Headquarter and administration agreements, anchoring the Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat in Geneva, have been signed by Federal Councillor Burkhalter and head of Secretariat Dladla 

Peace, security and human rights

13.06.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Federal Councillor Burkhalter launches an appeal to enhance collaboration between the UN Human Rights Council and the Security Council during the Human Rights Council’s opening ceremony of the 32^nd Session

Switzerland reinforces engagement at the International Labour Organization (ILO)

30.05.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Geneva - 30.05.2016 - Guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the International Labour Conference (ILC), the President of the Swiss Confederation called on the tripartite constituents of the ILO (governments, employers, workers) to endeavour to establish framework conditions which favour the creation of decent employment. Johann N. Schneider-Ammann signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Guy Ryder, the ILO’s Director-General, which seeks a reinforced development cooperation between Switzerland and the ILO.

Alain Berset opened the World Health Asssembly

23.05.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Geneva, 23.05.2016: Federal councillor Alain Berset pronounced the opening speech of the 69th World Health Assembly. WHO reforms and health within the Programme of sustainable development at the heart of debates.

700 students imagine Switzerland of tomorrow in meeting the UNO sustainable development goals

22.04.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Geneva, 22.04.2016: UN doors opened to more than 700 students, aged 10 to 19, from all Switzerland. They participated to the  5^th edition of the Eduki contest on international cooperation.

Switzerland launches Foreign Policy Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism

08.04.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), unveiled Switzerland’s Foreign Policy Action Plan on Preventing Violent Extremism at the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism co-organised by the UN and Switzerland on 7 and 8 April 2016. Switzerland is using this initiative to contribute towards combating terrorism through preventative measures by strengthening the resilience of individuals and communities. The UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism launched in December 2015 was in turn well supported by the high-ranking state representatives attending the conference who also highlighted the UN’s key role in this area.

President of the Swiss Confederation visits CERN and ICRC

24.03.2016 — Local news Mission Geneva

President of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann has met with the new Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) Fabiola Gianotti. He then visited the logistics centre of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Satigny. The visit was followed by a meeting with Peter Maurer, President of ICRC.

Happy Birthday Human Rights Council !

29.02.2016 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Switzerland steps up its commitment to human rights with a new strategy for the 2016–2019 period. 

77th World Health Assembly

27.05.2024 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Federal Councilor Baume-Schneider opened the 77th World Health Assembly, the governing body of the World Health Organization, in Geneva on 27 May 2024.

WSIS+20 & AI4Good

19.05.2024 — Press releases Mission Geneva
On Monday, May 27, 2024, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti opened the 20th session of the World Summit on the Information Society, which Switzerland is chairing. 

Switzerland to co-host second Global Refugee Forum in Geneva

12.12.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Switzerland will host the second Global Refugee Forum from 13 to 15 December 2023 in Geneva. The main objective of the forum is to bolster the effectiveness of aid provided to people fleeing from violence and crises, and to improve global coordination in this regard. The forum will take stock of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees to date and seek to strengthen the commitment of the international community in this area. At the forum, Switzerland will reaffirm its support for the protection and integration of refugees both in Switzerland and abroad. In addition to the federal government, Swiss cantons, cities and civil society will contribute to this effort.

75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: President Berset opens conference in Geneva

12.12.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Geneva, 12.12.2023 - In the aftermath of the Second World War and with the aim of preventing its atrocities for all time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed in Paris on 10 December 1948 in accordance with a resolution of the UN General Assembly. President Alain Berset paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of this historic step on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, at a high-level conference in Geneva.

Two Swiss Ministers at the ILC

14.06.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Two Ministers, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Swiss President Alain Berset, spoke at the 111th International Labour Conference in Geneva. 

Ignazio Cassis opens Human Rights Council

27.02.2023 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs, opened the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 27 February 2023. FC Cassis also moderated the High-Level Pledging Conference on Yemen, held back to back with the Council. Switzerland engages in favor of dialogue, peace, and lasting reconstruction, including with a support for education in emergencies.

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2022

21.06.2022 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Davos 2022: Geneva Day

23.05.2022 — Press releases Mission Geneva
At the World Economic Forum 2022 in Davos, the Geneva Day focused on the future of work, digital trust, and new technologies.

Federal Councillor Berset opens World Meteorological Congress

12.10.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Federal Councillor Alain Berset officially opened an extraordinary session of the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva. The Congress will focus on WMO reform, WMO support for the global water agenda and the Earth System Data Exchange.

Humanitarian aid for Afghanistan: Switzerland pledges 33 million francs

13.09.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis welcomed participants during the opening of the Ministerial Conference called by the UN Secretary-General on humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, held on Monday, 13 September 2021 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Press release

More coordinated emergency humanitarian action

25.06.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
Finding new ways to respond to challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. This was one of the key issues discussed at the humanitarian affairs segment (HAS) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was held in Geneva from 23 to 25 June 2021 and was chaired by Switzerland. A resolution to strengthen coordination of humanitarian aid was adopted, sending an important political signal.

Switzerland pledges CHF 14 million for humanitarian aid in Yemen

01.03.2021 — Press releases Mission Geneva
FDFA head and Vice President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis pledged a CHF 14 million humanitarian aid package at an online conference to raise funds for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Swiss Design for Human Rights

25.03.2025 — Local news Mission Geneva
The presidency of the UN Human Rights Council counts on the support of Swiss design.
Iconic furniture decorates the office of the Presidency, conveying an image of innovative, harmonious efficiency.

Human Rights Council 58

21.03.2025 — Local news Mission Geneva

Facing the threats to democracies, the HRC must act with unity & determination.

Davos 2025

22.01.2025 — Mission Geneva
Geneva Day at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos

Geneva Conventions at 75

12.08.2024 — Local news Mission Geneva

The Geneva Conventions were signed in Geneva 75 years ago, on 12 August 1949. 

The four Conventions are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, and the universally accepted rules that prevail in all times, including in times of war. 

Ignazio Cassis opens the 55th session of the Human Rights Council

26.02.2024 — Article Mission Geneva
"Nothing can be taken for granted, neither Human Rights nor peace." With these words, Federal Coucilor Ignazio Cassis opened the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

World Economic Forum 2024

16.01.2024 — Article Mission Geneva
Since AI came into the spotlight, risks have received a great deal of media attention. AI also offers countless opportunities that deserve to be better known and exploited. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, an event on AI explored these opportunities, with Federal Councillor Albert Rösti.

The Swiss Mission joins the Geneva Decarbonization Charter

12.12.2023 — Local news Mission Geneva
On 12 December 2023, Ambassador Anna Ifkovits Horner signed, on behalf of Switzerland, a decarbonization Charter aiming at minimizing the carbon print of international Geneva, together with 39 international organizations.

President Berset opens WHA, WMC

22.05.2023 — Mission Geneva
In Geneva at the occasion of the World Health Assembly and World Meteorological Congress, Swiss President Alain Berset opened the session of both governing bodies of these organizations, that are celebrating their 75th and 150th anniversary this year, respectively.

Saving energy

10.10.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva

Switzerland's energy supply is secure. The Swiss federal government has however published recommendations for saving energy against the backdrop of energy shortages in Europe.

Current situation

Strengthening security and supply 

Contribuer aux économies d'énergie (FR, DE, IT)

Espace Kofi-Annan inaugurated at Geneva Airport

04.10.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva
A new delegates lounge named after the former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was inaugurated on 3 October 2022 by local and national authorities, the UNOG Director-General and Ms. Annan.

OECD Ambassadors visit Geneva

13.09.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva
Ambassadors of Member States of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as OECD's Secretary-General and Secretariat, visited the Palais des Nations as well as international organizations headquartered in Geneva including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Labor Office (ILO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the Geneva Science-Policy Anticipator (GESDA). The purpose of this visit was to reinforce collaboration and cooperation between international organizations as well as between Host and Member States.

Federal Councillor Berset opens the 75th World Health Assembly

22.05.2022 — Local news Mission Geneva
On Sunday, 22 May, Federal Councillor Alain Berset opened the 75th World Assembly and advocated for a strong WHO with the necessary means and authoritativeness to support Member States, including during pandemics.